Back plasters



Dec. 18, 1962 E. A. sTRAzDAs BACK PLASTERS Filed Aug. 12, 1960' INVENTOR. ERNEST A. SRAzDAS nited States Patent o BACK PLASERS Ernest Alfons Strazdas, 22 Carroll St., Keene, N.H. Filed Aug. 12, 1960, Ser. No. 49,393 6 Claims. (Cl. 12S-78) My invention relates to improved orthopedic devices for use with the spine while the user is in an ambulatory stage, more particularly to such a device where lower back support is necessary to restore normalcy.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my a-pplication Serial Number 731,287, filed April 28, 1958, now abandoned.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved appliance capable of exerting pressure upon the spinal column in the lumbar region to provide for symptomatic and corrective relief of backache due to muscular spasm, posterior distortion and intervertebral disc movements where lower back support is necessary to restore nor- -malcy.

A more specific object of my invention is to provide ameans to apply corrective forces to the lumbar region of the human spine, more particularly to compress and partially immobilize the lower lumbar segments.

A further object of my invention is to provide an appliance which will not freeze an abnormal condition although permitting side to side tiexion whi e constricting posterior bending of the vertebrae, which is highly desirable in certain types of back conditions.

A still further and more specic object of my invention is to provide a means to help correct kyphosis or posterior bending of the spine.

Brielly, in accordance with my invention, I provide a base panel of exible material having an adhesive coating on one side. Elcngated elements or slats are secured to the central section of an elongated portion of the panel. The elongated elements or slats may comprise one or more superimposed elements of wocd, metal or plastic. uThese members are bcund together by flexible strapping means to permit both longitudinal as well as transverse movement with respect to each other. The elongated base panel is provided with two pairs of oppositely disposed aps coated with adhesive material. A soft covering is positioned over the elongated support. Guards of plastic or other light material protect the adhesive surfaces until the appliance is put into use.

My invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE l is a front elevation of an orthopedic appliance made according to my invention with parts removed to show details of construction;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical section of FIG. 1 taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. l; and

FIGURE 3 is a perspective View of the appliance shown in FIGURES l and 2.

Referring to the drawings, an -appliance made according to my invention includes an elongated base panel 1G of flexible material having an adhesive coating 11 thereon. It consists of an elongated portion 13 having a central section 14 for supporting the elongated flexible supporting element or slat assemblies 15.

Extending transversely of the elongated base panel and substantially coextensive with the central section 14 is a pair of flaps 17, 17.

While the base panel is roughly cross-shaped, it can of course assume other shapes. I have found that dimensions of roughly 9 inches by 9 inches is a satisfactory size. The adhesive coating which is applied to the entire base panel including the aps is preferably of a non-irritating type containing zinc propionate and zinc caprylate and may be embedded in elastic strands having limited stretching.

Supported on the' central section 14 of the panel 10 vare the supporting elements or slat assemblies 15. Each consists of two or more slats 15a in superimposed relationship. Each assembly is joined to the next by means of adhesive straps 16 which bind the assemblies together. These slats have a tensioning and floating action Iand conform to the posterior projection of spinous processes and also partially immobilize lower lumbar segments. These slats may be of steel, wood, or plastic and may be rigid or ilexible.

Positioned over the slat assemblies 15 is the soft covering 19 preferably of moleskin. This covers 'and adheres to the slats. The exposed surface of the moleskin is of course not covered with moleskin but may be saturated with an analgesic preparation. This covering gives support without irritation.

To protect the adhesive surfaces during storage and prior to use, I cover the adhesive surfaces with the removable protective shields 20, 20, 21, 21 which m-ay be made of a vinyl plastic or other material such as crinoline. These are removed when the appliance is to be used on a patient.

An appliance made according to my invention has the advantage that while it performs its functions, as described above, the need for use of constricting belts and straps is eliminated.

What is claimed is:

l. An orthopedic appliance for the spine including a base panel having an elongated portion, said elongated portion having a central section, a plurality of elongated flexible elements supported on said central section, ilexible elements extending transversely of said elongated flexible elements and attached thereto for retaining said elongated flexible elements in relative relationship while permitting relative movement therebetween, flap members extending from the sides of said elonaged portion andregistering with said central section, and said base panel including said iiap members having an adhesive on one side thereof, and a soft cover member lixed over said elongated elements on the adhesive side of said base panel for contact with the body to which said appliance is to be attached.

2. An, orthopedic appliance for the spine including a flexible base panel having an elongated portion, said elongated portion having a central section, a plurality of assemblies comprising a plurality of superimposed elongated slat elements supported on said central section, said slat elements being capable ofV relative movement, ilexible strapping elements extending transversely of said slat elements and attached thereto for retaining said slat elements in relative relationship while permitting relative movement of said slat elements, flap members extending from the sides of and registering with said central section, said panel having an adhesive on one side thereof, and a soft cover member fixed over said elongated slat elements on the adhesive side of said base panel for contact with the body to which said appliance is to be attached.

3. An orthopedic appliance for the spine including a base panel having an elongated portion, said elongated portion having a central section, a plurality of elongated elements supported on said central section, elements extending transversely of said elongated elements and attached thereto for retaining said elongated elements in relative relationship while permitting relative movement therebetween, ilap members extending from the sides of said elongated portion and registering with said central section, and said base panel including said flap members having an adhesive on one side thereof, and a soft cover member xed over said elongated elements on the adaoeaaeo 3 hesive side of said base panel for contact with the body to which said appliance is to be attached.

4. An orthopedic Aappliance for the spine including a exible base panel having an elongated portion, said elongated portion lhavingV a central section, a plurality of slat assemblies/in side by side relationship on said central section, each of said assemblies comprising a plurality of elongated flexible slat elements in superimposed relationship permitting relative movement between said slat elements, exible elements extending transversely of said elongated slat elements and attached thereto for retaining said slat elements in relative relationship while permitting relative movement of said assemblies, ap members extending from the sides of said elongated portion and registering with said elongated slat elements, said flap members and said elongated portion having an adhesive on one side thereof, and a soft cover member fixed over said elongated slat elements on the adhesive side of said base panel for contact with the body to which said appliance is to beattached.

5. An orthopedic appliance for the spine including a f tlexibleV baise panel having an elongated portion, said elongated portion having a central section, a plurality of slat assemblies in sideV by side relationship on said central section, each of said assemblies comprising a plurality of tiexible elongated slat elements in Vsuperimposed rela- Vtionship permitting relative movement between said slat elements, exible elements extending transversely of said elongated slat elements -and attached thereto for retaining said elements in relativerelationship while permitting Y relative movement Vof said assemblies, ap Ymembers extending from the sides of said elongated portion and 'registering with said elongated slat elements, said ap strap elements extending transversely of said elongated slat elements and attached thereto for retaining said ele-V` ments in relative relationship While'permitting relative movement between said slat elements, ap members ex? tending from the sides of said elongated portion and registering with said elongated slat elements, said ap members and said elongated portion having Van adhesive on one side thereof, and asoft cover member fixed over said elongated slat elements on Ythe adhesiveside of said base panel for contact with the body to which said appli-` ance is to be applied.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,995,002 Lee Mr. 19, 1935 2,104,699 ODen i. ian. 4, 193s 2,181,689 Be11 f r Nov. 2s, 1939 2,753,864 weidemann A Jan. 1o, 1956 Y FOREIGN PATENTS Y s 755,273 1933 France Sept. 4, 

